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BOOK REVIEWS
This one recommended by Dave Hoy to Chuck Staufenberg:
HOW THE SCOTS INVENTED THE MODERN WORLD
By ARTHUR HERMAN
"THE TRUE STORY OF HOW WESTERN EUROPE'S POOREST NATION CREATED OUR WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT"
The Webmaster says: "As a fan of Scotland, I enjoyed it. It's really amazing how much of our philosophy comes from the Scots...not to mention basic science and inventions."
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The rest are the Editor's choices:
THE KITE RUNNER
By KHALED HOSSEINI
An absolutely riveting, sometimes weepy (but not sentimental slush) story about an Afghani
family, life in Afghanistan before and during the Russian invasion, and later their life in America.
VERY enlightening to me about Islam, and the trying life in that part of our modern world.
I couldn't put it down. Heartfelt.
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MY LIFE
By WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
I ordered the book long before it was on the shelves (of course!), and then received the CD for my birthday, and , since the book was SO long...enjoyed it on the CD...Listened to the whole thing over the 4th of July weekend. Do you really need a review ??? Worth it.
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THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES
By SUE M. KIDD
A really quick read about a white child in the south who lost her mother and is abused by her father. She leaves home to find out something about her mother, and does so with a black family who knew her mother. No sex, no violence, just good.
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THE PASSION OF ARTEMESIA
By SUSAN VREELAND (Same author as The Girl in Hyacinth Blue)
This is another book concerning ART set in 17th Century Florence. Artemesia is a woman artist who becomes quite famous after her father's friend scandalizes her and she marries to regain her reputation. In the time of Cosimo Medici, Gallileo, and Michelangelo Buoneratti the younger, who befriends her and her little daughter. I LOVED it. My favorite city!
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TRAVEL LOG
MARGE HOLTORF COSGROVE..May 2004
"We just got back from a driving trip to Providence, RI where our son, Joe, lives...and Fall River MA visiting Charles' sister. She is 88 years old, still lives in the family home...runs up and down stairs, mows the lawn, etc.
It was a great trip. All the Spring stuff was in bloom, and Joe is going with a nice girl. Our son, Matt has been in Kuwait since Christmas (with side trips to Baghdad). Needless to say, we are very anxious to have him out of there!
My knee went out on me around Thanksgiving, but with therapy and exercises at home, I think I'm improving. Charles planned side trips to the tombs of about 12 former presidents, and we climbed 93 steps to the tomb of William McKinley and 93 back down again!!
I have no helpful thoughts about the 60th, but I hope we have one. Maybe there could be a vote as to where? I'll be glad to help!"
Her Matt is safely home from Kuwait, and back to his job in Japan.
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(Ed. note: That's 2 grads for reunion...
WELL? How about you ???
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CHUCK STAUFENBERG'S SCOTLAND
Our Webmaster missed the trip last year, so his Scottish friends were happy to see his face again this year. He left LAX for Heathrow on May 8, and then a shuttle to Glasgow and Avis to the hotel. Excerpts:
"The drive (on the left) to the hotel makes me somewhat nervous, particularly the round-a-bout that gets me on the M8 toward the Erskine Bridge .The drive was almost entirely in heavy rain, which makes the narrow, twisty bits at the northern end of Loch Lomond even more nerve wracking! Ready for a pint before dinner.
Was disappointed with the porridge the next morn, but it got better. I visited with local friends, and spent some time at the Ballachulish harbor, one of my favorite spots for lunch, snoozing and a stroll.
I did manage a couple of hill walks where I had to put on my boots (see below). One was at Cuil Bay. That was my first outing in 2 years. No more Munros (hills over 3000 ft.) A couple of times I took the Corran Ferry for the 3 minute crossing to Ardgour for a sea level walk."
Chuck returned home to CA on May 28. There was more to his report, but no room here.
Next trip, 2006 at 80??
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